SYDNEY, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday that his government will consider introducing stricter gun ownership laws in response to the fatal mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach.
Albanese said at a press conference that he would discuss tougher gun laws at an emergency meeting with state and territory leaders scheduled for Monday afternoon.
He said that the federal government is prepared to take "whatever action is necessary" to prevent future similar attacks and identified limits on the number of guns that can be licensed by individuals and a review of firearm licenses over time as possible areas for reform.
"People's circumstances can change. People can be radicalized over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity," Albanese said.
Authorities in the state of New South Wales (NSW) previously confirmed that one of the two alleged shooters, a 50-year-old man who was fatally shot by police on Sunday night, held a firearms license and legally owned six guns.
Premier of NSW Chris Minns said earlier on Monday that it is time for "a change" to the state's gun ownership laws.
There have been 16 confirmed deaths, including that of the 50-year-old shooter, following the shooting.
It marks Australia's most deadly mass shooting since 35 people were fatally shot at Port Arthur in the island state of Tasmania in 1996, which prompted a major overhaul of Australia's gun laws that included strict regulations on automatic and semi-automatic firearms. ■
